🇨🇦Heather (Tennant) Weber

Following last week's announcement that World Physiotherapy Congress 2029 will take place in Lisbon, Portugal, Mike Landry congratulates António Lopes, president of Ordem dos Fisioterapeutas/Order of Physiotherapists. Watch the video youtu.be/xgb0Y16eaY8

Doug Ford is undermining judicial independence—plain and simple. Judges don’t exist to serve politicians. They uphold the law, not political agendas. They are independent for a reason—to protect our democracy from the whims of politicians. In Canada, we expect leaders to respect the courts—not attack them when they disagree. #onpoli

📋 Breaking Down a Study on Physician Empathy in Pain Care A great study was published in JAMA Network Open recently (April 2024). It provides compelling evidence for what many of us in pain care have long observed: empathy significantly impacts patient outcomes. Key Findings: 1,470 patients with chronic low back pain were followed for 12 months Patients treated by highly empathic physicians reported: • Lower pain intensity • Less disability • Better quality of life • Lower anxiety and depression • Less fatigue and sleep disturbance Most striking? The positive effects of physician empathy exceeded those of: Non-pharmacological treatments Opioid therapy Lumbar spine surgery This isn't just about "being nice" - it's about measurable clinical outcomes. When physicians scored high on empathy measures, their patients consistently showed better results across ALL outcome measures. 🔍 Why This Matters: As pain specialists, we often focus on interventions, techniques, and treatment protocols. But this study reminds us that HOW we deliver care may be just as important as WHAT we deliver. The human connection isn't just a "soft skill" - it's a powerful therapeutic tool that can enhance everything else we do. 💡 Clinical Implications: Empathy should be viewed as a core clinical skill Building therapeutic alliance may be as important as choosing the right intervention Medical education needs to prioritize empathy cultivation Healthcare systems should support environments that allow for meaningful patient connections This research validates what many of us see in practice: our ability to truly connect with patients, understand their experience, and demonstrate genuine empathy is fundamental to successful pain care. What are your thoughts on this research? How do you cultivate empathy in your practice while maintaining professional boundaries? #PainCare #ChronicPain #PatientCare #MedicalEducation #TherapeuticAlliance

PTs and PCPs: A powerful patient care team! 🤝Primary care physicians say collaborating with physical therapists leads to better patient outcomes — identifying enhanced patient care as the primary benefit. Learn more in APTA's new report: apta.org/apta-and-you/news-p…

Canada’s the best country in the world, and Jean Chrétien spends every day making it even better. Happy 91st birthday, Jean.

When an RCT in the MSK pain field excludes people with significant co-morbidities, they effectively address a lower risk group with more favourable outcomes. There is a big gap in the research addressing the more complex presentations.

Today, on International Non-Binary People's Day, we celebrate and honour the diversity and uniqueness of every individual. Let's continue to support and uplift each other, creating a more inclusive and understanding community within healthcare and beyond. #NonBinaryPeoplesDay

July 14 is International Non-Binary People's Day, which raises awareness around non-binary people, and of the issues they face around the world. On campus, learn more about the LGBTQ2SIA+ Collaborative — ow.ly/gCbY50SAog9

Know all the theories, master all the techniques, but as you touch a human soul be just another human soul. ~ C. G. Jung #thepaincoach #chronicpain